City’s pass masters leave Chelsea chasing shadows
● Silva scores only goal as dominant league leaders show huge gulf in class
Statistics often don’t tell the whole story but some figures from Manchester City’s dominant 1-0 win over Chelsea further highlighted the gulf in class between the Premier League leaders and the rest.
Chelsea arrived at the Etihad Stadium yesterday as the champions – for a few more weeks, anyway – but ended up playing ultra-defensively, bowing to the utter supremacy of a team that has turned the title race into a procession.
City completed more passes (902) than any team has managed in a Premier League game. City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan completed more passes (161) than any other single player in a Premier League game. City had 78 per cent possession in the first half, a scarcely believable stat against a top-six rival – especially one of the quality of Chelsea, who didn’t even have a shot in that period.
Ultimately, the most important number for City was 18 – the record points lead they hold after 29 games thanks to Bernardo Silva’s winner just 33 seconds into the second half.
“They are showing a fantastic quality, but at the same time a fantastic mentality,” Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said. “When you match quality and mentality, I think you become unstoppable.
“At this moment, you have to accept every criticism,” Conte added. “But I’m not so stupid to play open and lose 3-0 or 4-0.”
With their 14th straight league win at home, City moved to within 12 points of clinching the title. They need 18 more points from their last nine games to pass Chelsea’s record points haul of 95, from the 2004-05 season, and the magic 100-point mark is coming into view. City’s hunger and desire are that strong.
Asked if he thought this dominance of the league was possible before the season started, City manager Pep Guardiola, pictured, said: “No way. No way. Who could believe it? I think if you ask the players, the players neither.
“In terms of not just the results but the way we played, today was another demonstration . To have the distance, 25 to Chelsea, 33 to Arsenal, (20) to Tottenham is a lot.”
Chelsea, missing key midfielder N’golo Kante, just about survived the first half, only to concede immediately after the restart when David Silva crossed for Bernardo Silva to force in a finish at the far post.
It was the Portugal winger’s second goal in as many games and he is impressing now he has nailed a place in the starting line-up following injuries to Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling in recent months. Chelsea’s only real opportunity of an equaliser came midway through the second half when Victor Moses was played in down the right with City’s defence momentarily torn open. Moses blazed his shot way wide.
Conte fielded a front three of Pedro and Willian behind lone striker Eden Hazard, but the trio barely saw the ball. Hazard, in particular, looked a frustrated figure while playing mostly with his back to goal and surviving on scraps of possession.
Chelsea remain in fifth place but are now five points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot – currently occupied by Tottenham.
The possibility remains open that City could win the title at home to Manchester United on 7 April.
“In all the aspects, we were better,” Guardiola said. “We didn’t concede one shot on target. We made an amazing performance because Chelsea is still the champions.”
Not for much longer.